From Publishers Weekly
Now 79, Cook has led a rags-to-riches life, scoring great successes in accumulating wealth but far fewer triumphs with his four wives. Starting in northern Ontario in the depths of the Depression, he began his climb to moneyed prominence by acquiring small radio stations and then moved to Toronto, where he bought the city's largest radio station, two magazines and, later, the Toronto Maple Leafs, a baseball team in the International League, one step below the majors. Relocating to California, he purchased basketball's L.A. Lakers and hockey's L.A. Kings. After acquiring control of pro football's Washington Redskins, Cooke moved to the District of Columbia. Along the way, he gained ownership of Elmendorf, one of the most prestigious horse farms in Kentucky, and the Chrysler building in New York City. Freelance writer Havill chronicles Cooke's public and private lives well and candidly. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Few moguls in sports are more interesting than Cooke, a self-made billionaire and owner of the Washington Redskins football team. Havill's book does indeed provide a fascinating, tabloid-like look at Cooke's rise to wealth and fame. Although unauthorized, Havill manages to dig up a lot of dirt, especially from Cooke's first wife, who repeatedly tried to commit suicide, and his third wife, who refused to go through with a third abortion. The book is written like a novel--perhaps too much like one (the author admits to reconstructing interviews). Certainly readers of sports biographies will enjoy this titillating read. Recommended for public libraries.
- Ron Chepesiuk, Winthrop Coll. Lib., Rock Hill, S.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Ron Chepesiuk, Winthrop Coll. Lib., Rock Hill, S.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
